(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0104099 A1
`Novak
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`US 20020104099A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE
`MEDIA PROGRAMS FOR SYNTHETIC
`CHANNELS
`
`(76) Inventor: Robert Eustace Novak, Kirkland; WA
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Dennis M. de Guzman
`
`?kgKELY’ SOKOLOFF’ TAYLER & ZAFMAN
`7th Floor
`12400 Wilshire Boulevard
`L05 Angeles, CA 90025 (Us)
`
`(21) Appl- NO-I
`_
`'
`(22) Flled'
`
`09/742,677
`
`Dec‘ 19’ 2000
`Related U S Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No_ 60/228,609, ?led on Aug'
`28; 2000.
`
`102
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ......................... .. H04N 7/173; H04N 7/16;
`G06F 15/16
`(52) us. Cl. ....................... .. 725/136; 725/109; 709/217;
`725/139
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An individual can upload media objects to a server and
`specify a manner in Which the media objects are to be played
`as a media program to an end user. The media program can
`be provided to the end user via a synthetic channel; Which
`can be tuned to by the end user as if tuning to a conventional
`television broadcast channel. Information related to the
`synthetic channel such as media program listings; can be
`provided in an electronic program guide. If a client terminal
`of the end user is tuned to the synthetic channel; the media
`program(s) scheduled by the individual Who uploaded the
`media objects are streamed to the client terminal for vieWing
`by the end user.
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`

`

`US 2002/0104099 A1
`
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE MEDIA
`PROGRAMS FOR SYNTHETIC CHANNELS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`[0001] The present application claims the bene?t of US.
`Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/228,609, ?led
`Aug. 28, 2000, entitled “SYNTHETIC BROADCAST
`CHANNELS,” Which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
`[0003] The present invention relates generally to transmis
`sion of information, and in particular but not exclusively,
`relates to the transmission of audio and/or video information
`over communication channels that simulate television
`broadcast channels.
`[0004] 2. Background Information
`[0005] The Internet is a popular tool for vieWing many
`different types of information. For example, commercial or
`government Web sites provide Web pages that contain infor
`mation on a multitude of subjects that may be of interest to
`users vieWing the Web pages. The information available in
`the Web pages can be in many different formats, such as text,
`graphics, video, and audio.
`[0006] In addition to commercial or government Web sites,
`individuals can also create “personal” Web sites and Web
`pages on the Internet. For example, a family can create a
`“Jones Family” Web site having a uniform resource locator
`(URL) address or domain name of J ones-Family.com. In this
`personal Web site, information about the Jones family can be
`provided. Examples of such information can include family
`history, birthday or other special event announcements,
`photographs of family members, video clips from a recent
`trip, audio clips of a child’s ?rst Words, etc.
`
`[0007] To make such information available on the per
`sonal Web site, the personal Web site ?rst has to be estab
`lished/created (e.g., through a Web-hosting party, Internet
`service provider, etc.). Next, the information to be made
`available via the personal Web site is uploaded for storage to
`a server that hosts the personal Web site. Once the personal
`Web site is functional, third parties may access the personal
`Web site through the Internet to vieW the information dis
`played in the Web pages.
`[0008] Although personal Web sites and/or other Web sites
`have a variety of available information, they can be clumsy
`or dif?cult to access/use at times. This can be particularly
`true With regards to users Who are not computer-savvy. The
`casual or unfamiliar Internet user can often be easily over
`Whelmed, discouraged, or confused by having to enter URL
`addresses to locate the speci?c Web site, click multiple
`hypertext links to vieW a photograph or other item of
`information, Wait While an audio or video ?le doWnloads,
`struggle With sloW or unreliable computer connections to the
`Internet, etc.
`[0009] Accordingly, improvements are needed in the man
`ner in Which information is provided to end users.
`
`invention comprises a system and method to alloW presen
`tation of media objects to an end user at a client terminal,
`such as a television set. In accordance With an embodiment
`of the invention, an individual can upload media objects to
`a server and specify a manner in Which the media objects are
`to be played as a media program to an end user, including the
`scheduling and sequencing of the media objects. The client
`terminal of the user can be subscribed or provisioned such
`that information related to the media objects, such as media
`program listings, can be provided in an electronic program
`guide (and updated if needed). The media program can
`thereafter be provided to the end user via a synthetic
`channel, Which can be tuned to or selected by the end user
`as if tuning to a conventional television broadcast channel.
`An aspect of the invention provides a method that estab
`lishes a synthetic channel as a channel among a plurality of
`channels of an interactive video display system. The syn
`thetic channel is provisioned With information to access and
`display at least one media object, comprising part of a media
`program, stored in a storage location if the synthetic channel
`is selected by a client terminal. The media program having
`the media object is provided to the client terminal via the
`synthetic channel.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0011] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of
`the present invention are described With reference to the
`folloWing ?gures, Wherein like reference numerals refer to
`like parts throughout the various vieWs unless otherWise
`speci?ed.
`[0012] FIG. 1 shoWs a ?rst example of an interactive
`video casting system for implementing an embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`[0013] FIG. 2 shoWs a second example of an interactive
`video casting system for implementing an embodiment of
`the invention.
`
`[0014] FIG. 3 shoWs an example of an interactive video
`casting system With Which an embodiment of the invention
`can operate in cooperation.
`
`[0015] FIG. 4 is a How diagram illustrating a method to
`provide a media program to a synthetic channel in accor
`dance With an embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0016] FIG. 5 shoWs a technique to store and schedule
`media objects (for example, video) on a server in accordance
`With an embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0017] FIG. 6 shoWs a ?rst example of an interface that
`can be used to schedule media objects for a media program
`in accordance With an embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0018] FIG. 7 shoWs a second example of an interface that
`can be used to schedule media objects for a media program
`in accordance With an embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0019] FIG. 8 shoWs a ?rst electronic program guide that
`is provisioned to include a synthetic channel in accordance
`With an embodiment of the invention.
`
`[0020] FIG. 9 shoWs a second electronic program guide
`that is provisioned to include a synthetic channel in accor
`dance With an embodiment of the invention.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0010] The above-described problems relating to the Inter
`net may be overcome by the present invention. The present
`
`[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a synthetic channel displayed on
`a portion of a display screen in accordance With an embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`
`Page 13 of 22
`
`

`

`US 2002/0104099 A1
`
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`[0022] FIG. 11 is a How diagram illustrating another
`method to provide a media program to a synthetic channel
`in accordance With an embodiment of the invention.
`
`user Wishes to see video clips of family members, animation
`created by the uploading individual, and other media
`objects.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0023] Embodiments of a method and system to provide
`media programs for synthetic channels are described herein.
`In the following description, numerous speci?c details are
`provided, such as the description of system components in
`FIGS. 1-3, to provide a thorough understanding of embodi
`ments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art Will
`recogniZe, hoWever, that the invention can be practiced
`Without one or more of the speci?c details, or With other
`methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances,
`Well-knoWn structures, materials, or operations are not
`shoWn or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of
`the invention.
`
`[0024] Reference throughout this speci?cation to “one
`embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular
`feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection
`With the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment
`of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the
`phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in
`various places throughout this speci?cation are not neces
`sarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore,
`the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be
`combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodi
`ments.
`
`[0025] As an overvieW, an embodiment of the invention
`includes a method to provide a media program or media
`object to an end user. The media program can include
`streaming media (audio and video), digital music, ?ash
`animation, etc. In accordance With one embodiment of the
`invention, an individual or other party acting analogously to
`a “program director” uploads the media objects to a server.
`That is, the individual can control the content type, length,
`sequence, availability, etc. of the media objects that are
`uploaded to the server. One or more of the media objects can
`form a media program that can be provided from the server.
`The server can comprise part of or be communicatively
`coupleable to an interactive video casting system, such as an
`interactive television system.
`
`[0026] Once the media object(s) is uploaded to the server,
`information related to the media objects can be displayed in
`an electronic program guide (EPG) or otherWise made
`available to selected subscribers or end users of the inter
`active video casting system. In an embodiment, the media
`objects are made available via a synthetic channel listed in
`the EPG. The television broadcast channel simulates a
`conventional television broadcast channel in that, to the end
`user, it can be tuned to and display programming in a manner
`similar to that of a conventional television broadcast chan
`nel. Unlike a conventional television broadcast channel,
`hoWever, the synthetic channel is able to provide the media
`programs according to the type, sequence, length, desired
`scheduled play time, etc. speci?ed by the individual Who
`uploaded the media objects to the server. In this manner, the
`end user can simply tune a television set to the synthetic
`channel (e.g., by selecting the synthetic channel from the
`EPG), instead of having to navigate through complicated
`URL addresses and hyperlinks on the Internet, When the end
`
`[0027] FIG. 1 shoWs an eXample arrangement of an inter
`active video casting system 100 for implementing an
`embodiment of the invention. A production company 104
`produces programming content for transmission to vieWers.
`The transmission is sent over an uplink channel to a satellite
`102. The satellite 102 then transmits the programming
`content over a doWnlink channel to a local studio 106. The
`local studio 106 can insert additional programming (e.g.,
`regional programming) and/or advertisements as needed
`into the programming content. The content With the inser
`tions is then transmitted from the local studio 106 to a cable
`service provider 108. The cable service provider 108 then
`delivers the television signal over a cable netWork 134 to
`cable subscribers.
`
`[0028] The cable netWork 134 is provided by the cable
`service provider 108 to distribute the programming content
`to cable subscribers. A set top boX (STB) 152, located on the
`premises of a cable television subscriber or end user,
`receives the programming content or television signal, and
`delivers the television signal to the subscriber’s television
`set 154. Alternatively or in addition, the television signal can
`be broadcast over a Wireless medium and received by a
`traditional aerial antenna or by a satellite dish, and then
`delivered to the set top boX 152. Alternatively or addition
`ally, features and functionality of the set top boX 152 may be
`integrated into a type of advanced television or other display
`device.
`
`[0029] Moreover, embodiments of the invention can use
`other types of broadcast media, including but not limited to,
`digital cable systems, satellite, very-high-data-rate digital
`subscriber line (VDSL), Web casts, etc. The features pro
`vided by the television set 154 can also be provisioned, in
`one embodiment, by a personal computer (PC) suitably
`con?gured With an adapter to convert television signals into
`a digitiZed format, and then to deliver the television signals
`to the video portion of the computer for display. It is noted
`that the invention is not limited to any one con?guration of
`display hardWare, as embodiments of the invention Will
`Work equally Well using alternative reception and display
`arrangements.
`
`[0030] In accordance With an embodiment of the inven
`tion, a connection to a communication netWork is provided
`for the cable subscriber. In one embodiment, the connection
`can be made via a cable modem 156 over a bi-directional
`communication link 155 to a cable modem termination
`system Within the cable provider’s 108 equipment. The
`connection continues to a data communication netWork,
`such as the Internet, by Way of a public sWitched netWork
`(PSTN) 132. The PSTN netWork 132 is provided herein as
`an eXample, and it is understood that other types of netWorks
`may be used for connectivity to the Internet. Acable modem
`arrangement can be used because of its high bandWidth
`capability. In situations Where some cable companies are not
`equipped to provide cable modem service to their customers,
`various other arrangements can be made. For eXample, a
`conventional modem connection can be used to access the
`Internet over a telephone line. As another eXample, Internet
`access can be gained over a DSL connection or an integrated
`services digital netWork (ISDN) connection using a tele
`
`Page 14 of 22
`
`

`

`US 2002/0104099 A1
`
`Aug. 1, 2002
`
`phone line. Wireless systems are also available for providing
`Internet access. In one embodiment, downstream data trans
`mission can occur via cable or satellite, and upstream data
`transmission can occur via a telephone line or a satellite
`return path.
`
`[0031] It is noted that the Internet is chosen as an example
`of a data communication netWork because it is a Well
`established network, and connectivity to the Internet is
`easily made. HoWever, it is noted that a global communi
`cation netWork, such as the Internet, is not required to
`practice other embodiments of the invention. A locally
`provided and maintained communication netWork may be
`used in an embodiment.
`
`[0032] Continuing With FIG. 1, the set top box 152 can
`include a transceiver 157, such as an infrared (IR) or radio
`frequency (RF) transceiver, that can exchange signals With
`a remote control unit 158 or other user input device. The set
`top box 152 can be a component that is separate from the
`television set 154 as shoWn in FIG. 1, or its features can be
`built into circuitry of the television set 154 (e.g., an inter
`active television set). The set top box 152 enables a vieWer
`to select a television program (or channel) to vieW and then
`delivers the television program to the television set 154. A
`storage unit 162 can also be coupled to or be a part of the set
`top box 152. The storage unit 162 can comprise a machine
`readable storage medium such as a cache, buffer, memory,
`diskette, compact disk, tape, or the like and their associated
`hardWare, in one embodiment. In another embodiment the
`storage unit 162 can include a video cassette recorder
`(VCR). In another embodiment, the storage unit can include
`a hard disk such as a digital or personal video recorder (DVR
`or PVR).
`[0033] As noted above, the local studio 106 can insert
`additional programming into the received transmission, for
`example, to provide cable content that includes locally
`provided channels. The programming is then distributed to
`customers over the cable netWork 134. In addition to local
`program insertion, the local studio 106, the cable service
`provider 108, or other party can insert Internet-related data
`into the received television transmission, or allocate speci?c
`channels for Internet-related traf?c. In this manner, cable
`subscribers are able to access and use the Internet via their
`television set 154, in a manner that alloWs them to obtain
`information from the Internet along With television program
`ming.
`
`[0034] For example, triggering, announcement, or
`resource information can be included and sent using the
`Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) stan
`dard, in a manner knoWn by those skilled in the art. For
`instance, a uniform resource locator (URL) address can be
`embedded in the broadcast stream. Other standards that may
`be used include triggering mechanisms from Wink and
`WorldGate. Another technique is to embed code or a script
`in the stream that is received by the client (e.g., at the set top
`box 152) to provide the information, or that runs on another
`computer in the subscriber’s home Which is connected to the
`Internet.
`
`[0035] In accordance With one embodiment of the inven
`tion, information from the Internet can be provided to the
`television set 154 via a transmission control protocol/Inter
`net protocol (TCP/IP) channel that is accessible via the cable
`modem 156. Thus, television programming signals are pro
`
`vided on some channels (With the television programming
`signals also being capable to carry triggers, URLs, etc.),
`While Internet information can be provided via one or more
`TCP/IP channels. This Internet information provided via the
`TCP/IP channel can include various media objects in an
`embodiment, as Will be described later beloW.
`
`[0036] Although TCP/IP has been described herein as one
`of the protocols that the channel(s) can use, it is to be
`appreciated that these channels or other channels can use
`other protocols as Well. Examples include hypertext transfer
`protocol (HTTP), ?le transfer protocol (FTP), user datagram
`protocol (UDP), or other protocols.
`[0037] In accordance With an embodiment of the inven
`tion, an electronic program guide (EPG) 153 may be pro
`vided. An EPG is an electronic listing of scheduled televi
`sion programming, identifying channels, broadcast times,
`television programs, program summaries, actors/actresses,
`etc. The EPG 153 may be generated/produced by the local
`studio 106, cable service provider 108, or other party or
`combination of parties. The EPG 153 may be provided to
`and stored in the set top box 152 (or other local storage unit)
`for access and vieWing by the cable subscriber. Alternatively
`or in addition, the EPG 153 may be stored at a head-end or
`other system of the cable service provider 108, or at a third
`party system or other location.
`
`[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the cable
`subscriber can tune to any particular channel or program by
`vieWing the EPG 153, and then clicking on a listing in the
`EPG 153 to automatically tune to the desired channel. In
`another embodiment, the EPG 153 can be a simple display
`on the screen of the television set 154, and the cable
`subscriber can use other techniques to tune to a desired
`channel (such as selecting a synthetic channel number like
`2005). In yet another embodiment, the cable subscriber can
`tune to any particular channel or program, such as by
`channel sur?ng, Without necessarily having to vieW/use the
`EPG 153.
`
`[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, an upload
`source 122 is able to upload/store media objects to a server.
`The upload source 122 can comprise, for example, an
`individual or organiZation Wishing to make information
`available via the Internet, and can include the device(s) that
`they use to upload information, such as a set top box, a PC,
`or other access device(s). The server thus makes the media
`objects available and accessible through the Internet via a
`Web site 124 or via other techniques/connections. Examples
`of media objects that the upload source 122 can upload to the
`server or Web site 124 can include, but not be limited to,
`audio and video clips, JPEGs, recorded audiovideo clips of
`television programs, sequenced JPEGs With attached audio
`?les, MPEGs, MP3 ?les, Web camera video clips, ?ash
`animation, text and graphics, or other ?les and media ?le
`types. In an embodiment, one or more of these media objects
`can be provided to end users via the use of streaming
`techniques, although it is to be appreciated that other tech
`niques may be used in another embodiment.
`
`[0040] The upload source 122 can upload media objects to
`a Web site 124 at a server. The Web site 124 can be stored in
`any suitable server accessible via the Internet. In accordance
`With one embodiment, the upload source creates the Web site
`124 before uploading media objects to it. The upload source
`122 can oWn the server that stores the Web site 124, or the
`
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`Web site 124 or server may be hosted by third parties. In
`accordance With one embodiment of the invention, the
`upload source 122 can control the type, sequence, length,
`schedule of play, etc. of the media objects to be streamed
`from the server, thereby analogously acting as a “program
`director.” The manner in Which this may be accomplished in
`one embodiment is described later beloW.
`
`[0041] Also in an embodiment, the upload source 122 can
`have an agreement or other communication With the local
`studio 106 and/or With the cable service provider 108, such
`that the presence of and URL address of the Web site 124 is
`knoWn to these parties. Thus, these parties can make
`arrangements to alloW cable subscribers to be provided With
`media programs from the Web site 124 and to provide/update
`the EPG 153 With media programs that are available from
`the Web site 124. The communication/agreement betWeen
`the local studio 106 (and/or cable service provider 108) and
`the upload source 122 is shoWn symbolically by an arroW in
`FIG. 1.
`
`[0042] FIG. 2 shoWs another example of an interactive
`video casting system 200 for implementing an embodiment
`of the invention. In the system 200 shoWn in FIG. 2, the
`media object (e.g., video program) may be doWnloaded to a
`receiving station, such as a head-end
`of the cable
`service provider 108 or the subscriber’s set top box 152,
`rather than or in addition to the local studio 106. A reverse
`channel from the cable service provider 108 to the local
`studio 106 is provided so that the local studio 106 can insert
`additional programming content and feed the television
`signal back to the cable service provider 108.
`
`[0043] Also in FIG. 2, another upload source 222 is
`shoWn, With the capability to upload media objects for a Web
`site 224. The Web site 224 is stored in a server accessible via
`the Internet. This illustrates that multiple parties may upload
`data for multiple Web sites, Which may or may not neces
`sarily reside in the same server. Also, different from the
`upload source 122, the upload source 222 can make its
`uploaded media objects available to selected subscribers of
`the system 200 Without necessarily having an existing
`arrangement/agreement With the local studio 106 and/or
`With the cable service provider 108 (as symbolically shoWn
`in FIG. 2 by a lack of a connecting arroW from the upload
`source 222 to the local studio 106 or to the cable service
`provider 108). In such an embodiment, softWare of the end
`user’s set top box 152 can independently establish a con
`nection With the Web site 224 and add the synthetic channel
`to the EPG 153 for reception of media programs, Without or
`With minimal intervention/involvement by the local studio
`106 and/or by the cable service provider 108.
`
`[0044] As noted above, Internet access is not necessary to
`practice the invention. A locally provided netWork may be
`Within the scope of the invention as claimed. The cable
`provider 108 can supply the foregoing features, for example,
`by providing a Web site or “Walled garden” that is accessed
`by its subscribers. In such a case, the cable provider 108
`serves as an intermediary and submits the purchases to the
`actual merchants 122 or 222.
`
`[0045] FIG. 3 shoWs an example of an interactive video
`casting system 300 With Which an embodiment of the
`invention can operate in cooperation. The system 300 can be
`similar to or combined With the systems 100 and 200 shoWn
`in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In accordance With an
`
`embodiment of the present invention, the system 300 can be
`integrated With a cable television distribution system. The
`system 300 includes an Internet 302, a plurality of content
`sources 304, a plurality of distribution centers (depicted as
`the head-ends or H/Es 306), and a plurality of client termi
`nals 308 (depicted as set top boxes). In addition, a content
`source 304 is depicted as receiving data from image sources
`316, streaming video sources 318, audio sources 314, and
`other data sources 312.
`
`[0046] The image sources 316, streaming video sources
`318, audio sources 314, etc. can comprise the various media
`objects that are uploadable by the upload source 122. These
`media objects can be uploaded by the upload source 122
`directly, or the upload source 122 may upload links that
`point to locations Where these media objects can be obtained
`(e.g., a hypertext link pointing to another Web site or server
`from Which the media objects can be streamed).
`
`[0047] The plurality of content sources 304 is coupled to
`the Internet 302. A content source 304 may comprise a Web
`site, server, Web site portal, etc. that can provide media
`objects to end users. Each content source 304 may have
`various image sources 316, streaming video sources 318,
`audio sources 314, etc. coupled to it. Various other feeds,
`servers and sources may also be coupled to the content
`source 304 of FIG. 3, or coupled to the production company
`104, cable netWork 134, Web sites 124 and 224, or to other
`components of the systems shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2.
`
`[0048] The Internet 302 comprises a netWork of netWorks
`and is Well knoWn in the art. Communications over the
`Internet 302 can be accomplished using standard protocols
`such as TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, UDP, or other protocols. The
`Internet 302 is coupled to the plurality of distribution centers
`306, and each distribution center 306 is in turn coupled to a
`plurality of client terminals 308, Which may comprise a set
`top box, a PC, an interactive television set, or another type
`of communication device or display device.
`
`[0049] In alternative or in addition to the Internet 302
`being used to distribute multimedia content from the content
`sources 304 to distribution centers 306, communications
`channels or netWorks 320 apart from the Internet 302 may
`couple one or more content sources 304 to one or more
`distribution centers 306. One example of such an alternate
`path for communications is illustrated by a ?rst dashed line
`320 in FIG. 3. Alternately or additionally, peering connec
`tions may exist betWeen distribution centers 306. One
`example of such peering is illustrated by a second dashed
`line 322 in FIG. 3. Other con?gurations are also possible
`and are included Within the scope of the present invention.
`
`[0050] Caches 310 may be provided at (or coupled to) the
`distribution centers 306. Such caches 310 may be used to
`increase the performance in the delivery of multimedia
`content to the client terminals 308. For example, larger ?les
`for video and other high bandWidth content may be stored in
`such caches 310, Which may be closer to the client terminals
`308 than to the content sources 304. In addition, reliability
`and guaranteed bandWidth may be provided because the
`Internet 302 is not in-betWeen such caches 310 and the client
`terminals 308.
`
`[0051] As described above With reference to FIGS. 1-3,
`many different types of client terminals or display devices,
`in addition to the television set 154, may be used to display
`
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`
`or access television programming, Internet or Web page
`content, content from the content sources 304, etc. Examples
`of such display devices include, but are not limited to, PCs,
`personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, handheld Wireless
`devices (such as cellular telephones), or other devices hav
`ing a display screen. In one embodiment, audio devices may
`be used in addition to or instead of display devices, to play
`audio versions of the programming or c